Tractor track-chain



F. MOON.

TRACTOR TRACK CHAiN.

APPLTCATION FILED OCT.29. T919.

1,370,757. Patented Mar. 8,- 1921...

i D T @T J\ 1' I I. A-LE L D 4 Q1 A TTORNEYSA I INVEJTITOR.

UNITED STATES PATENT ()FFIQELZ.

FRANK MOON, or OAKLAND, cauronnm, nssrenon TO Moon TRACTQE 00.. or srnv rnANcIsco, ourronnm, A oonronnrron or CALIFORNIA.

rnaoron TRACK-CHAIN.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed October 29, 1919. Serial Ito. 334,302.

T 0 all 1072 0m '56 may concern.

Be it known that I, FRANK Moon, :1 citizen of the United States, residing at Cakland. in the county of Alameda-and State of California, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Tractor Track- Chains, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to a track-chain for tractors and other road-running vehicles.

The object of my invention is to provide a track-chain which has the smallest possible number of parts, andwhich is so con-' structcd that it can be easily and quickly taken apart for replacement or repair. i Iy track chain is therefore simple and cheap to construct, and inexpensive to maintain in proper working order. I

With this in view, my invention will now be fully described with reference to the accompanying drawings. wherein,

Figure 1 is a side elevation oi" a portion of my trackchain.and a portion of the sprocketengaging it.

Fig. 2 is a bottom view, one shoe being omitted and another broken away to show the link-members above.

Referring more particularly to the drawings. each complete link of my track-chain consists essentially of a rail member A adapted to be engaged by the teeth of a sprocket B, a tread member or shoe C, and means for remo'ably securing said shoe upon said rail member, shown in the drawings as comprising a pair of bolts D.

The rail member A is substantially U- shaped, having a transverse portion 1 adapted to lie between the teeth of the sproket B, and spaced longitudinally dis-- posed arms 2, the latter being formed with fiat upper surfaces 3. Fig. l. forming the rails upon which the \veight-supporting wheels of the vehicle, not shown, may operate. The transverse portion 1 of said rail member A has oppos tely disposed laterally projecting studs 4. Figs. 1 and 2, which form the articulations between adjacent links. The arms 2, which'diverge toward their ends. are notched as at 5', to fit over and engage the studs 4r ot'the next link. Ears G are formed upon said arms to receive the shoe retaining bolts The shoe J, which, on account of its shape, may be stamped from a fiat sheet of metal, is formed with an arcuate portion 7,

F g. l positioned in transverse alincnient with the notches 5 of the arms :2, and adapted to retain the transverse portion 1 ot the next lmk in position by engaging a raised lug 8, Figs. 1 and 2, formed upon said transverse portion. ,The shoe is also formed Wlilil a traction rib 9 and an ugtnvardlv turned end flange 10, Fig. 1, adapted to eligage projections 11 formed upon the e d portions of the arms 2, to take the tra effort and relieve the bol s l) of strains When the machine is tra forward direction. The rear edge the shoe C is cut away, as at 12, Fig. t to ion mit the expulsion of sand and dirt bg the teeth of the sprocket driving wheel B, which operate between and engage the transverse members 1.

The simplicity of my track-chain will be apparent to anyone versed in the art. The

rail member A may be either forged or cast. with the articulating studs 4 inte ral, and the shoe Cmay be stamped or die pressed. at one operation. fit of the studs 4 Within the notches 5 no machining is necessary. and the integral stud construction obviates the necessity for separate bearing pins and retaining devices therefor. Eachlink consists of but two parts, the rail member A and the shoe I held together by the bolts D. and the re moral of said bolts permits the immediate llatented Mar. %5. 1.321.

On account of the loose disassembling of the chain for replacement or repair of its parts.

I claim:

1. A tractor track-chain comprising a. series of articulated members, each having a transverse portion terminating in oppositely disposed int grally formed bearing studs, said transverse portion having a lug raised from its under surface and divergent arms extending longitudinally from said transverse portion and provided at their outer end portions \vithhooks adapted to engage the bearing studs of the succeeding member to form a pivotal connection; and ahead shoe bolted to said arms, said shoe having a traction rib and a concave portion above said rib adapted to lie under the transverse portion of the succeeding incur her and to engage the raised lug thereof to retain the bearing studs of said portion in position within said hooks.

2. A tractor rack-chain comprising; a series of articulated members, each l'iaving a'treed shoe removably secured to each of sald nlembers, sald shoe hevmg a concave 0 outer end portions with hooksadapted toenga e the bearing studs of 'the succeeding mem er to form a pwotal connectlon; and

portion adapted to lie under the 'ti'ensverse portion of the succeeding member to rein joppo tain 'the bearing studs thereof in position within said hooks and an upwardly turned lip adapted to engage the ends of said hooks in inter-locking relation.-

In testlmony whe eof I have signed my name to thls speclfieatlon 1n the presence of'two subscribing Witnesses.

FRANK MOON. Witnesses:

VILLIAM F, BGOTH, Jr.,- D. B. RICHARDS. 

